New Kit Coming

A display at the Brampton train show.

Mt. Albert had an announcement at this years Brampton train show. It appears there will be a laser cut kit called Last Resort Chair Ltd. As one can see it will be a factory of cottage chairs. If all works out well they may also be selling the O scale chairs as an option...George Dutka

Wordless Wednesday No. 253

NMRA Booth - Brampton Train Show

NMRA craftsmanship corner which is set up at many of our area train shows.

The NMRA booth was well manned with modelers working on projects that probably will be seen in upcoming convention contests. Actually one of the winning models was on display from this past spring. There was a great deal for new NMRA membership. If you sign up shortly the NFR will cover your cost for a trial membership for the next 6 months..George Dutka

This is the sign offering a great deal for a NMRA trial membership.

A CN cinder car built by Tony Kerr following an article prepared by CN engineman Steve Lucas in CN Lines Vol 13 No 1. These cars are rebuilt from old outside braced boxcars in the 1940-50's with some lasting as long as 1986.

This is a second car scratch-built by Tony Kerr following Steve's article.

40 Feet in Proto:48

40 feet of layout on display at last weekend's Brampton train show.

I was reading Trevor Marshall's blog Port Rowan in 1:64, link below about a long modular layout set up at the Brampton train show in front of the Rapido bus that was Proto:48. I did not realize at the time this was Proto:48...so I will have to watch for it to be setup at a later date. I went back through my photos from the day and sure enough there is Trevor in the background at the layout. Trevor and I have crossed paths numerous times in the past but this day I guess our paths did cross but we did not realize it...George Dutka

Port Rowan in 1:64

St.J&LC in 1942 - Facebook Post

On the WW2 Facebook site, taken in 1942

One of the SIG Yahoo groups I follow had a link to a post were one can fined over 70 photos available to view of the St. J. The link is a Facebook page called WW2 Radio - Facebook dated Sept 27th. I am not a Facebook guy but I checked it out and was surprised what I found. You don't have to be a member or have a Facebook account to log in so check it out. There are other railway related posts if you scroll down. I found some really nice looking Kodachrome photo's taken in the 1940's if you are a war guy. Great to see Kodachrome lasts. I have included a few St. J views here with the link found below. I am not sure what the St J has to do with WW2 action but it sure is nice to see...George Dutka

 WW2 RADIO - Home | Facebook

Brampton Ontario Train Show

Rapido brought their bus with them to the show.

On Sunday Peter Mumby and I attended the train show in Brampton. Peter had been to this show many times as a vendor but this time he is going as a spectator. This was my first time attending. Many of the regular vendor could be found on site along with many modular railways. Canadian company's such as Rapido, Fast Tracks, Imagine That, Mount Albert Scale Lumber and Hunterline all had displays. Rapido actually had their bus inside and open to view. Throughout the day there was clinics going on which looked to be very interesting but our timing was not right to attend...George Dutka

Krazy Tags is found at some of the shows Peter attends painting graffiti on your rolling stock as you wait. It is all hand done and looks really great if you are into that thing. He also does some weathering jobs. Interesting to see although my 1950's fleet might look odd all tagged up.

Imagine That had some displays showing one how to finish their kits.

Hunterline had their stains and kits on display. A "how to" was going on also.

Fast Tracks and Mt Albert display.

Limited to 150 engines this is a Rapido engine offered by VIA 150.

Canada Rail and Exporail had some nice books for sale at really good prices.

The show special from Credit Valley was a DQ in N scale for $25 taxes included. They had a really nice display on Gatorfoam.

Wordless Wednesday No. 252

School Car - Clinton, Ont.

July 2017, Clinton, Ont.

Peter covered this car in a past post of our trip to Goderich. Here are a few more photos of this old gem...George Dutka

One may not a bit of a sag in the roof line.

When the truss rods are not holding things together anymore some concrete help is needed.

NECR Trucks - 2005

Fall 2005 Palmer, Ma.

While down for the CVRHS convention in 2005 Don and I took some photos around the NECR Palmer, Ma. area including these hi-rails...George Dutka

CN Jeeps

This just goes to show that all CN SUVs don't have to be Fords.

By Peter Mumby

Over the years, CN has operated a large number of "Geeps" - think GP 7s, 9s, 35s, 40s, 38-2s, and 40-2s.  But this CN Jeep was something new to me - apparently a new acquisition policy has been established within the last year or so.  Previously I had been accustomed to seeing CN SUVs primarily of the Ford variety.  Anyway, if you are attempting to keep your CN-themed layout up to date,  you might want to track down some modern Jeep models.  With all the commuting they'll be doing, you'll want your division superintendents and assistants travelling in comfort and style.

At the next train show, see if you can track down a model of one of these Jeep SUVs.  You'll want to ensure that your layout's assistant superintendent travels in comfort.

Red's a Second Look

A CV freight is stopped for a moment for the crew to grab some goodies at Red's.

Here are a few more views of my little pit stop...back in the day this was my favorite part of the afternoon...enjoy...George Dutka

The foreground figures are Woodland Scenic offerings I had extra. On the sign there is a loudspeaker that I also photocopied and left on. Some weeds and long static grass fill in the scene.

My new 1965 Oxford pickup truck is seen parked at Red's. I got a deal on a four pack of Athearn woodchip cars recently so these are now in use during summer time operations.

Since the back wall was going to show a little at certain angles I had to add a bit of details. A caboose door with a bit of green is added. Leftover piece of the front awning is also placed overtop. Some signs, propane tanks and wire to a circle molding is made to look like a meter. On the roof a smoke stack is also added. The sign got some wire supports. If I knew the back would be seen I would have filled the joint...but I think it looks pretty good anyway.

Red's Eats

A CV through freight heads by Red's on the WRD. The era is set by the CV paint jobs and the 1965 pickup truck, an Oxford model. I wanted a few scenes that could be added to the layout for summer viewing when the 1960's-80's come into play. This is one for the foreground.

A great little place in Wisscasset, Maine which offers lobster rolls and found track side makes a great little structure to model. Back in the spring one of the booths at our local train show in Woodstock offered this little baggy of four structures for $8.00. One caught my eye as a possibility for my rendition of Red's. I do need a spot for my crews to stop and get some lunch or at least an ice cream cone. So for my later years operation this has become a new drop-in diorama.

Years ago and in season while working the afternoon Ford's Talbotville switches, the job I worked normally took a transfer out to connect with the NS at Southwold yard. Once the transfer is put away we would run up to the crossing for some eats at the Polar King...a similar establishment as Red's. I normally went for a soft ice cream cone, but at times a foot long was called for.

Once I cleaned off the shell I painted most of the model by brush using acrylic dollar store paints. Black for the roof and back. Red and white for the rest. The server got some Floquil flesh touch-up's while the counter trim edge is painted Floquil old silver. The sign came from a colour copy of a Railfan article photo. The awning worked well also just glued to the area along the upper front. Some signs from my collection rounded off the structure. A really easy build. One thing I found was when I place it on the diorama base and angled it the way I wanted it the rear showed a bit. So instead of leaving it just black some weathering was applied, a door with the opening over a rear window. I also added an awning, some junk and a power line to a round circle area built into the plastic back...a second look is coming tomorrow...George Dutka

This is how Red's looked during Sept. 2016. Each time I passed by there was a lineup...even in the morning 30 minutes before it was to open. It was impossible to get a clean shot of all the signs on the structure. It sure would have been nice to add these to my model.

My little baggy find that I could see Red's as a possibility.

Looking inside the structure.

The structure is finished but the base is in the early stage of scenery.

My model placed on the Railfan article that I used for the sign and awnings. I just photocopied them full size as seen in the photo. I also used the roadway sign.

The finished diorama.

Wordless Wednesday No. 251

Snapshot - September 2017

A view from the trolley.

This months Snapshot is actually snaps I took from the trolley car at ExpoRail while traveling through the areas one does not have access to by foot. Unfortunately there is some glass reflection in the photos...but neat to have...George Dutka

The CP car I was able to get both sides...one a lot cleaner looking than the other.

Last Minute Shot

A Canada 150 coach on VIA 76.

On Sept. 4th I was stopped at the crossing just east of Komoka, Ontario when EB VIA 76 was approaching the crossing. I just had time to step out of my car and get these views...another of the 150 coaches is in the consist...George Dutka

VIA 76 approaching the crossing I had just arrived at. This is on my route to and from the lake...just have to keep a camera available. The CP crossing is about a half mile behind me at this point.

Shake n Take Display - Coco Beach 2017

A really nice display of what has been offered at past RPM meets.

I am kind of slow getting all the posts together that I wanted to share with you this year. Here is another one from my trip south to the Coco Beach 2017 RPM meet. One of the displays from this years RPM meet in Coco Beach was the table displaying past shake-n-take projects. Unfortunately this year there was no rolling stock available...George Dutka